$1bn blow-out prompts review of MBR program

“It will deliver a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the program and provide recommendations for changes, improvements and strategies to best position it to achieve its intended objectives.”

The MBR project aims to amalgamate dozens of business registers into one single Australian Business Registry Services but has required cash injections, time extensions and has suffered implementation problems.

One key component — the director ID number scheme — failed to sign up 20 per cent of company directors despite an extension to the original deadline and substantial penalties for non-compliance.

The MBR review would “ensure investment in this core national economic infrastructure is delivered within a reasonable timeframe and budget,” Treasury said.

“The review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the program by:

• Assessing the expenditure to date including drivers contributing to cost increases.
• Measuring what has been delivered, and work remaining to achieve the objectives of the program.
• Identifying key aspects that present significant risks, including to the successful delivery of the program’s objectives, cost and delivery schedule, validating current estimated costs and underlying assumptions evaluating governance and management practices.”

The eventual recommendations would cover how to improve the technology, alternative approaches to design “to reduce cost” and speed up delivery as well as provide strategies to mitigate the risk of failure.